Krug Grande Cuvee Edition 168

Overview

The Krug Grande Cuvée Édition 168 marks a deliberate return to the classic Krug style: structured, precise, with lively acidity and exceptional ageing potential. On the nose, aromas of roasted hazelnuts, nougat, candied orange peel and Sicilian lemons. On the palate, the 168 is taut, profound and complex – a Champagne that demands patience and rewards it with extraordinary development.

The Distinctive Style of this Grande Cuvée

The 168th Édition of the Krug Grande Cuvée was eagerly anticipated by long-standing Krug enthusiasts worldwide – particularly given the ripe, concentrated base vintage of 2012. As yields in 2012 were exceptionally low, no Krug Vintage was produced that year, and the finest parcels were directed instead into the Grande Cuvée and the reserve wines.

Rather than foregrounding the opulent, fruit-driven character of 2012, Krug took a bold and deliberate approach: creamy and fruit-forward components were largely set aside. What remains is the essence – structure, tension and a penetrating, intense acidity, characteristic of the great, long-lived Krug cuvées of past decades. The reserve wines, in particular those from the legendary 1996 vintage, further heighten both the acidity and the complexity.

Unlike some earlier éditions that were deeply closed in youth, the 168 already reveals itself as profound and demanding, with a clear, focused line and impressive tension.

To fully express the classic, silky Krug palate with its complete aromatic range – roasted hazelnuts, nougat, candied orange peel, Sicilian lemons – a further 8 to 12 years of cellaring is recommended.

Those who prefer a tauter, fresher character will find great pleasure in 4 to 6 years. The optimal drinking window is between 2030 and 2050.

Vineyards, Grape Varieties & Assemblage

The 2012 harvest at Krug yielded approximately 20% less than usual, resulting in highly concentrated, ripe base wines of exceptional quality. Cellar Master Julie Cavil selected 192 lots from more than 400 individually vinified wines for the assemblage. The Pinot Noir proportion of 52% is unusually high for a Krug Grande Cuvée and lends the 168 its characteristic depth and substance.

To balance the natural richness and ripeness of the vintage, the reserve wines were chosen with particular attention to freshness and lively acidity – notably Chardonnay from Avize and Marmery, and Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims, including Verzenay and Verzy. The oldest reserve wine dates from the legendary 1996 vintage.